HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 251 



Compost Manure. 

 Henry Phcloii's Statement. 



My compost heap, containing five cords and over, is com- 

 posed of the scrapings of my barn-yard and stables, with the 

 droppings of three cows, and a proportion of three one-horse 

 wagon loads of muck, one-fourth of a load added daily ; two 

 barrels of soap suds, with twelve gallons of chamber slops 

 added weekly, mixed with three pecks of lime, three pecks of 

 ashes, and one peck of plaster, to the cord. Commenced 

 making the last of May. 



West Springfield, Sept. 20, 1850. 



/. C. Pai'sons^s Statement. 



The compost manure, which I have made during the present 

 season, has been made in the following manner : 



Heap No. 1. — 50 loads muck, manure 5 loads, sizing 2 loads, 

 coal ashes 3 loads, chloride lime sediment 2 hhds. 



Heap No. 2. — 75 loads muck, 7 loads manure, sizing 3 loads, 

 leached ashes 4 loads, chloride lime sediment 2 hhds. 



Heap No. 3. — 50 loads muck, 5 loads manure, sizing 2 loads, 

 6 bushels salt. 



Heap No. 4. — 100 loads muck, 3 loads manure, sizing 2 

 loads, leached ashes 2 loads, 1 hog, 7 pigs, 4 calves, 3 cats, 1 

 peacock, 3 Dorking fowls, about 50 large rats, and the contents 

 of two vaults. 



Sizing is refuse animal matter, obtained from glue-makers 

 and paper mills, and is generally by them thrown away. It 

 contains a large quantity of ammonia, and is a valuable sub- 

 stance for converting muck into the best of manure. 



Chloride of lime sediment is also obtained from paper mills, 

 after the chlorine has been principally taken out. It is then 

 similar in its composition to plaster, with the exception of an 

 excess of acid, which renders it better than plaster for con- 

 densing ammonia, and preventing its escape in the compost 

 heap. 



The manure which I use in compost heaps is taken from my 

 stables, where straw and stalks are freely used. 



